Paul Hughes

New study finds millions of British homes are too humid or too dry

13.03.2018

A new study by intelligent home climate management leader tado° has revealed that 20% of British homes (over 5 million households) are too humid or too dry most of the time.*

Causes Low humidity is especially prevalent in the winter as cold air doesn’t hold much vapour. The colder the air, the drier it is and it gets into your home through drafts, leaks, holes, poor insulation or is pulled in through ventilation fans. Heating that dry air only makes it drier. High home humidity is more common in the summer as the weather brings high levels of moisture.

Effects Living in a dry home can increase your risk of catching a cold, cause dry skin, and damage wooden furniture and materials. While the effects of a humid home include a higher risk of mould, the proliferation of dust mites, and negative effects on your well-being such as a lower quality of sleep.

Solutions“Maintaining an optimal home humidity level of between 40 - 60% brings lots of well-being benefits,” says tado° Co-founder Christian Deilmann. “The first step is to get an insight into your humidity levels by continuous measurement via a hygrometer or a smart thermostat with this feature. From there on we’re highlighting some simple and effective actions you can take to make for a more comfortable home.”

If your house or flat is too humid you should ventilate your home and rooms better by opening your windows several times a day, leaving them open for 10 - 25 minutes at a time. Another simple technique is to fill some bowls with salt and place them in the more humid areas, such as by a radiator, to absorb moisture.

For those whose homes are too dry, some simple recommendations include leaving the bathroom door open, hanging a water container on a radiator, and getting some house plants such as sedge, spider, African hemp, and papyrus. You could of course also purchase a humidifier or dehumidifier to improve humidity levels.

Great Britain fairs well in comparison to Germany, Italy and Spain where home humidity levels leave much to be desired.

*Figures based on the home humidity levels of several hundred thousand tado° users across Europe.

About tado°

Founded in 2011, tado° is the European market leader in intelligent home climate management solutions. With its Smart Thermostats and Smart AC Control for heating and cooling, tado° reshapes the way energy is consumed at home. The tado° Smart Climate Assistant app uses features like Geofencing and Weather Adaption to save up to 31% of your heating costs, while enhancing comfort. For more information on how you can improve your home humidity levels click here.